2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +5 Half pint
Explanation: This term is also spelled "half-pint" and has two similar and related meanings in English. First, the mathematics of it: One liter is roughly equivalent to one quart. Two pints make one quart so one fourth of one quart equals one half-pint. Same as 1/4 of 1 liter equals 250 milliliters (very close). The first reference shows a table of measurements. Secondly, the term "half pint" refers both to the actual measurement AND is English slang for anything that is small, undersized, diminutive, short or miniaturized. The word is usually applied to people or objects, usually in an endearing or teasing kind of way, but it can be used as an insult also. Please look at the second reference. As a noun, it means either: half a pint OR a short, small or inconsequential person. As an adjective, it means: of less than average size, diminutive. In this case, it's both technically correct (liquid measurement) and is used as a (slang) term to refer to that size bottle. Usage would be something like "Gimme a half pint please and keep the change". HTH.
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Look at info about Frankie \"Half Pint\" Jaxon at www.redhotjazz.com/jaxon.html and halfpintkids.com for further examples of usage. To find some of the info I used to answer your question I Googled on \"units of liquid measurement\" and \"half pint\" along with a little extra research. Good luck.
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This is like a play on words (pun) because it\'s both scientifically accurate and describes the size of the bottle (small, easily hidden, easy to overlook) quite nicely.
Reference: http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/230/235/appxc/appxc.htm Merriam Webster online dictionary (M-W dictionary)
| Will Matter United States Local time: 18:08 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 12
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